A limited-edition print of LED ZEPPELIN guitarist Jimmy Page, photographed in 2009 by Ross Halfin, has become the 100,000th portrait to be archived at the prestigious National Portrait Gallery in London. The photograph forms part of a limited edition portfolio of five fine art prints signed by Jimmy Page and each respective photographer: Jorgen Angel in Copenhagen 1970, Dick Barnatt at Earls Court Arena 1975, Neal Preston at Chicago Stadium 1977 and Baron Wolman at Oakland Coliseum, California 1977. All five fine art prints have recently been added to the National Portrait Gallery's collection.

The National Portrait Gallery began digitizing its collection in 1996 in order to make its portraits available online, with Jimmy Page's portrait achieving the 100,000 milestone earlier this month.

MARILYN MANSON's long-awaited new album, "Born Villain", sold 38,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD arrived in stores on May 1 via Cooking Vinyl and Manson's own label Hell, Etc.

MARILYN MANSON's previous album, "The High End Of Low", opened with 49,000 units back in May 2009 to debut at position No. 4 on The Billboard 200 chart. This was roughly half of the first-week tally registered by 2007's "Eat Me, Drink Me", which landed at No. 8 after selling 88,000 copies.

MARILYN MANSON's 2003 album, "The Golden Age Of Grotesque", entered the chart at No. 1 with first-week sales of 118,000.

In a recent interview with Billboard.com, Manson was asked if putting out his first CD not affiliated with Interscope was a liberating experience. "Yeah," he replied. "I've always had control over what I created, and in the past once I turned it over to the record label, what happened wasn't always to my liking. A lot of it was more their stupidity, trying to fit me into a hole I didn't belong in, and that would of course make you confused about what you're supposed to be as an artist, not even just as a person. So getting off Interscope gave me the ability to think exactly how you would when you're starting out."

Regarding the direction of the new album, Manson said, "With the previous two records, I was making music to make people feel like I was feeling rather than to make them feel something — and I was feeling pretty shitty most of the time, so I don't think it was a good idea to do that, necessarily. I'm not discrediting the music, [but] my focus was in the wrong place. This record . . . emotionally it brings a different type of attitude that is more the spirit of me and feels interesting and fun for me to do."

Marilyn Manson's new video, "No Reflection", can be seen below. The clip was directed by Lukas Ettlin, who previously worked with Manson on the award-winning "Personal Jesus" video.

"No Reflection" was released as a white seven-inch vinyl in Europe on April 21. The vinyl is strictly limited to 1500 copies and features "No Reflection" (album version) and "No Reflection" (single edit). The release was in support of Record Store Day.

Commented NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main composter Tuomas Holopainen: "These three awards from 'Once', 'Dark Passion Play' and 'Imaginaerum' represent the purity of our music making, loyalty of the fans, and hard work and trust from the record label and management. We are deeply touched and grateful, and will continue to tread the chosen path with you all."

Added Andy Siry, head of A&R and label manager of Nuclear Blast: "NIGHTWISH rightfully stand at the very top of the winner's podium, brave every trend with their music and go ahead with their style consistently with much blood, sweat and tears. Each and every NIGHTWISH album is a masterpiece and the awards substantiate that the fans acknowledge and honour the band's class and sincerity. We're very proud that we've been able to make our contribution to their success and are looking forward a lot to our shared future."

NIGHTWISH will embark on a North American headlining tour in September with support from KAMELOT.

NIGHTWISH released a limited-edition "Trials Of Imaginaerum" 10-inch picture disc for Record Store Day (April 21). The effort includes four previously unreleased demo recordings with Marco Hietala on lead vocals. It also comes with a download of the previously unreleased track "The Heart Asks Pleasure First", a cover with lyrics from the movie "The Piano".

"Trials Of Imaginaerum" features a picture of "The Crew, The Owl And The Dove" on one side, and the "Imaginaerum" grounds on the other side.

"The Crow, The Owl And The Dove", the second single from NIGHTWISH's latest album, "Imaginaerum", entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 1. The single features the title cut in three versions — radio edit, album version and instrumental — and the previously unreleased song "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" (theme from the movie "The Piano") in two different versions.

NIGHTWISH released a special "tour edition" of "Imaginaerum", on April 13 via Nuclear Blast Records. It is a 2CD+DVD digibook in slipcase.

"Imaginaerum" sold 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, 2007's "Dark Passion Play", opened with 11,000 units to land at No. 84.

"Imaginaerum" was released in North America on January 10 via Roadrunner Records.

"Shadowmaker", the new album from German metallers RUNNING WILD, has registered the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #12 Sweden: #43 Austria: #61 Finland: #90

The CD was released in Germany on April 20, and was made available in the rest of Europe on April 23 and in the U.S./Canada on April 24 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort was issued as a limited first edition in a black jewel case with silver printing and slipcase plus a 40-minute bonus DVD with a "making-of" documentary and a track-by-track commentary by RUNNING WILD mainman Rock 'N' Rolf. The double gatefold LP comes with printed innersleeves and clear vinyl. There is also a boxset limited to 1,000 copies worldwide. It contains 2 LPs, the black jewel case with the DVD, a poster, a sticker, a postcard and a 30-page book in LP size about the history of the band.

The cover of "Shadowmaker" is the most unusual in the history of the band, but when you listen to the title track and read the lyrics, you will understand the meaning of it. It was created by Rock 'N' Rolf and Jens Reinhold (EVERGREY, FREEDOM CALL, VIRGIN STEELE), who also handled artwork for all configurations.

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with the other touring version of GREAT WHITE, which features Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals). That version of GREAT WHITE played its own 30th-anniversary show on March 22 at the Key Club in Hollywood, California.

In a recent interview with Full In Bloom, Russell slammed his former bandmates, stating, "[They're trying to put out] an album out as GREAT WHITE... that's not GREAT WHITE. Now they're having a 30th anniversary. Who are they kidding?! 30th anniversary of what? I fired them all. How can they have an anniversary if they're all fired? I fired them on December 10th. But they obviously don't want to be fired. Prior to that, they tried to file for the [GREAT WHITE] trademark without me. I could not believe it; my gut was so upset. I had tears in my eyes... I couldn't believe these guys were my friends. OK, I cost them some money but then again, I allowed them to go out with other singers. I called Jani [Lane, former WARRANT singer who passed away in August 2011] and said, 'Do me a favor and go out and fill in for me while I get well, so these guys don't lose money." Then Terry came in and I was cool with that, too. In retrospect, I should have said no...."You wait for me until I come back.' But that's not who I am....I don't want to stop them from earning a living, but they sure wanted to stop me. I'm getting e-mails from these guys: 'You can only go out there as Jack Russell, formerly of GREAT WHITE,' from a manager who has only been with the band for the last few years. Screw you, buddy. Honest to God, these moves that I am making are not out of animosity. I mean it. They are just business decisions. Those guys cannot be GREAT WHITE. There already are too many people going, 'Which version of the band are you in?' It's ridiculous. They need to call it something else. It's a different singer.....and the singer is the one element of the band you cannot change without completely changing the sound of the band. I don't care how great the singer is, or how bad. I don't care if you put Steven Tyler in RATT, it ain't gonna be RATT."

Russell filed a lawsuit against his estranged bandmates in March claiming that they fired him and stole the group's name while he was recovering from surgery to repair a perforated bowel. Named in the complaint were Kendall, Desbrow, Lardie and talent agency Bigg Time Entertainment. Kendall, Desbrow and Lardie responded with a 30-page counterclaim, filed on April 24 in a federal court in Los Angeles, accusing their former frontman of, among other things, "miss[ing] 80 performances in 18 months" before leaving the band; "irreparably damag[ing]" their "market reputation" by putting on performances that "are not up to the standard of GREAT WHITE; and misleading the public by stating that the musicians in Jack's new band "were once full members of GREAT WHITE." They also accuse Russell's new bandmates of "profit[ing] from their wrongful affiliation with the GREAT WHITE brand."

JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE will headline this summer's "America Rocks Tour" with support from FASTER PUSSYCAT, BULLETBOYS, PRETTY BOY FLOYD and LILLIAN AXE.

The Great Southern Brainfart: I want to talk about your playing on the KILL DEVIL HILL album. The playing on this album is like nothing I've ever heard you do before. You have such a signature sound to it but there's some groove and swing in there that I've never heard from Vinny Appice.

Vinny: There are two things that were involved in that. One thing was that the last HEAVEN & HELL album, "The Devil You Know", was written with a friggin' drum machine. It was all of us in a room with a drum machine. It was stupid. I wanted to go into a rehearsal place and jam and work the shit up loud. That's the way we did "Mob Rules" and "Dehumanizer", but instead, it wound up with us working in Ronnie's [James Dio] studio with a drum machine. When we recorded "The Devil You Know", the band wanted it really simple on the drums so I didn't play a lot on that album. When the album came out, I got all this feedback like, "Vinny didn't play shit on the drums," and "The drums are really boring," and shit like that [laughs]. I was like, "OK, but you guys don't know the whole story." That was in my head so I decided that I was going to play my ass off on [the KILL DEVIL HILL] record.

The Great Southern Brainfart: I really loved "The Devil You Know" and I had no idea the level of restraint you were working with.

Vinny: Well, with SABBATH, it was more that the playing had to be under that SABBATH umbrella. We couldn't do too much crazy shit. Even having too much melody would be too nice for SABBATH. There are three different egos that are running the band and the way "The Devil You Know" was written, it wasn't inspiring for me to play drum machine parts. You can't hang or swing on a drum machine. It's hard to work that way. If we would've been in a room rehearsing the music, it would've been a lot more aggressive and a lot more SABBATH-y than what came out.

The Great Southern Brainfart: I keep getting asked by folks about what's going on with the current BLACK SABBATH drama with [drummer] Bill Ward not doing the reunion and all. What's your take on it all?

Vinny: I haven't been contacted or anything so I'm not involved, to be honest. I am in touch with them though, especially with Tony [Iommi] regarding his health and all. It was kind of funny to see this big deal about SABBATH coming back and then suddenly Bill's not doing it. Then I read all these posts online saying, "Well, if Bill's not doing it, Vinny should be next in line," and then other are saying shit like, "Fuck Vinny! He shouldn't be up there. It should be Bill!" Then I read that Tommy [Clufetos] from Ozzy's band is thrown in the mix and then they're like, "Fuck Tommy. Vinny should be up there!" [laughs] It's like the gossiping housewives of "Jersey Shore" or something. [laughs]

The Great Southern Brainfart: Obviously it's not fair to say that you weren't a part of SABBATH's history, but with them calling it a "BLACK SABBATH reunion," do you think it's proper for them to carry on without Bill Ward and still call it a SABBATH reunion?

Vinny: Well, I think that the first choice should honestly be Bill Ward. If BLACK SABBATH is going to do a reunion, Bill should be there. Back in 1998 they did a reunion tour, but Bill couldn't do it because of some medical problems, so I did like 4 or 5 weeks with them in Europe with Ozzy singing. They didn't call it a reunion tour, though. They just went out as BLACK SABBATH. Then they toured the States and they were billing it as a reunion tour. Bill was actually playing on that tour but I was on tour with them in case Bill had a problem. He didn't have any issues on that tour, so I went the whole tour without playing which was the weirdest tour I ever did.

The Great Southern Brainfart: Being on tour and not being able to play sounds horrible. It's kind of like being in a brothel and not being able to touch anything.

Vinny: [laughs] Exactly. It was ridiculous. Then I felt like I was getting out of shape from not playing. Yeah, I think Bill should be doing this tour. It's a reunion thing. At this point, it'll probably be the last SABBATH tour and I think the fans, well I don't think, I know that the fans honestly want to see the real band. I would like to see it to. They play unbelievably together.

The Great Southern Brainfart: I really hate to see this turn into such a soap opera. I feel like it kind of tarnishes any kind of reputable legacy that SABBATH could have left behind.

Vinny: Yeah, exactly. I guess the whole problem with this thing was money. It's a shame to see that. I don't know what the hell's going to happen. If they end up doing it with another drummer, it'll be the second best thing since the fans still obviously want to hear those classic songs.

The Great Southern Brainfart: You worked with three different guitarists in DIO (Vivian Campbell, Craig Goldy, and Tracy G). In your opinion, who was the best DIO guitarist?

Vinny: Oh, it was Campbell. He was the man. He was on fire. He played great, he had a great feel, and he had great rhythm. He was a really cool guy. Viv, Jimmy [Bain], Claude [Schnell] and I just jammed last month. Viv was in town and he wanted to play, so we got a rehearsal place and went in and just played all these old DIO songs. It was really cool. We might even do some dates, so we'll see. We have this really cool singer named Andy [Andrew Freeman; HURRICANE and LYNCH MOB], who really loves Ronnie and it might be cool to just go out and do some shows. I hadn't played with Viv since 1985 or '86, but yet it was tight as fuck. We could've gone out and played a show that night. That's how tight it was even after all those years. [laughs] That's something that might happen. I mean, we were the real guys. We were the band. Ronnie>'s not here and it would be nice to play those songs they way they should be played in memory of Ronnie. I don't know what we'd call it. RE-DIO? [laughs]

Could the band VAN HALEN carry on after guitarist and co-founder Eddie Van Halen retires? According to The Pulse Of Radio, Eddie's son, current VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, seems to think it will be up to him to keep the name going. He told Esquire, "It kind of falls on my shoulders," adding that the band has plenty of material stockpiled on demos from the last three years for future albums. Wolfgang added, "I thought it would be really fun if dad and I just sat down and started jamming and see if we came up with something together, instead of him writing something and me putting my spin on it."

Wolfgang joined VAN HALEN in 2007 at the age of 16, replacing original bassist Michael Anthony.

He also told Esquire that his dad gives him plenty of responsibilities on tour, revealing, "I kind of come up with the set lists. When we've got a song that we haven't done, it's like, we should probably run through this before the show and figure out like the count of it. Because dad, for some reason, counts in odds. He'll land on three instead of four."

Wolfgang continued, "(Eddie) still, to this day, does not know the lyrics to 'Beautiful Girls'. You know how we go, 'Top of the world, beautiful girls'? He has it written down on his pedal board. On the last tour I used to have to go (mouths lyrics)."

VAN HALEN is currently on the road behind its new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", which is the first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years.

Atlantic recording group HALESTORM has made history with their electrifying new single, "Love Bites (So Do I)". The track — featured on the Pennsylvania-based band's breakthrough new album, "The Strange Case Of…" — has ascended to No. 1 at Active Rock radio outlets nationwide, marking the first ever female-fronted group to top the format's airplay ranking.

HALESTORM will celebrate its sensational success with an epic summer touring schedule, comprising a U.S. headline trek, high profile festival appearances, a series of much-anticipated European dates, and a number of support slots alongside AVENGED SEVENFOLD. In the meantime, the band is currently wrapping up a major U.S. tour alongside GODSMACK and fellow Atlantic recording group STAIND. The "Mass Chaos 2012" tour continues through a May 16 finale at Manchester, New Hampshire's Verizon Wireless Arena.

"The Strange Case Of…" is shaping up as HALESTORM's biggest release thus far. The album made a stunning No. 1 debut on Billboard's "Hard Rock Albums" chart, while also making a Top 15 entry onto The Billboard 200. In addition, "The Strange Case Of…" has proven a top 10 success on both the "Rock Albums" and "Alternative Albums" rankings.

Produced by Howard Benson (who previously collaborated with HALESTORM on their self-titled 2009 debut), "The Strange Case Of…" includes such explosive tracks as "Here's To Us", which shot to No. 1 on iTunes' "Top Rock Songs" chart after being featured in a February 2012 episode of Fox's hit series "Glee". In addition, the album's "Freak Like Me" is featured in a new live video heralding HALESTORM's upcoming tour schedule. The clip will made available exclusively to members of the band's official "Eye Of The Storm" fan community before being showcased across the myriad HALESTORM online platforms.

Along with its popular success, "The Strange Case Of…" has also drawn critical acclaim, with Billboard praising the collection as "full of chugging riffs, wailing solos, drums that kick like a boot to the gut, and never-out-of-style soft/loud dynamics that lead to massive choruses." "Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (HALESTORM) promise a more personal album for their follow-up," noted Revolver in its album preview. "But don't expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band's now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off."

"The Strange Case Of…" marks HALESTORM's first full-length release since last year's "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, SKID ROW and LADY GAGA. HALESTORM also unleashed their first-ever live CD/DVD, "Live In Philly 2010", featuring such favorites from the band's self-titled debut as "It's Not You", "Familiar Taste Of Poison", and the rock radio smash "I Get Off".

True road warriors, HALESTORM made its bones as a major league hard rock outfit via countless North American gigs alongside such artists as SHINEDOWN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, and DISTURBED. Last year saw the band traveling the country on the blockbuster "Avalanche Tour 2011", joining such hard rock luminaries as STONE SOUR, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, and fellow Atlantic recording group SKILLET.

As previously announced, former EXODUS guitarist Rick Hunolt will be joining the band's vocalist Rob Dukes, drummer Tom Hunting, bassist Jack Gibson, and guitarist Lee Altus for their appearance at the Scion Rock Fest in Tampa, Florida on June 2 and the group's upcoming European shows. Hunolt will be stepping in for Gary Holt, who himself will be busy filling in for SLAYER's Jeff Hanneman on that band's European and North American dates.

Holt has now confirmed that he will be joining his EXODUS bandmates for their Graspop Metal Meeting performance in Desel, Belgium on June 23 for a special lesson in violence with a three-guitar attack!

Longtime EXODUS fans will recall that Hunolt — the other half of the famed EXODUS "H-Team" who is on every studio recording from 1985 through 2004 and co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs such as "A Lesson In Violence" and "Deliver Us To Evil" — left EXODUS after the band's highly-acclaimed 2004 reunion album, "Tempo Of The Damned". "Murder In The Front Row", the recent photo book documenting the pinnacle of the Bay Area thrash scene, aptly documents Hunolt's tenure in the band.

Following his departure, Hunolt was replaced by HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus.

Hunolt rejoined his former bandmates at a special concert in celebration of Holt and Lisa Perticone's wedding on September 24, 2011 at Avalon in Santa Clara, California. He also performed with them at "Bonded By Baloff: A Decade Of Remembrance", a special concert which marked the 10-year anniversary of former EXODUS singer Paul Baloff's passing. The event took place February 4 at the Oakland Metro Operahouse in Oakland, California.

British thrash metal veterans ONSLAUGHT will perform their 1986 album "The Force" in its entirety on their upcoming European headlining tour in September and October. Main support on the trek will be shared by Dutch metal outfit IZEGRIM, who are still promoting the critically acclaimed "Code Of Consequence" CD from 2011, and German thrashers CRIPPER who will release their new album, "Antagonist", on June 22. Both bands will be rotating positions during the entire tour.

Commented ONSLAUGHT guitarist Nige Rockett: "It's been what the fans have been asking for from ONSLAUGHT for so long now, so that's exactly what we're gonna give them! AFM are re-releasing 'The Force' album in September, so it seemed quite appropriate to take this show on the road. We're gonna play the whole album in running order, as well as all the favorites from the other four releases. I think it's gonna be a whole lot of messy fun!"

ONSLAUGHT is tentatively scheduled to enter the studio at the end of the year to record its new album for a spring release via AFM Records.

ONSLAUGHT recruited Michael Hourihan (EXTREME NOISE TERROR, DESECRATION) to play the drums following last year's departure of Steve Grice.

ONSLAUGHT's fifth album, "Sounds Of Violence", was released in January 2011 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Killing Peace" was recorded and mixed at Hansen Studio in Ribe, Denmark with acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (RAUNCHY, MERCENARY, VOLBEAT, HEAVEN SHALL BURN).

Vocalist Randy Blythe of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD has posted a lengthy rant on his Twitter account about the current state of the music industry following today's announcement that MARILYN MANSON's new album, "Born Villlain", debuted at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart with first-week U.S. sales of just 38,000 copies.

Blythe's rant in its entirety follows below (edited for clarity):

"So Marilyn Manson's new record debuted at #10 [with] just over [38,000] sold, including iTunes. He released it independently on his own record. This is a guy with 3 platinum records, 3 gold, 5 top 10 debuts including two NUMBER ONE RECORDS in the U.S. He also has a HUGE CULT FOLLOWING.

"A #10 record? 38,000 sold first week for arguably one of the biggest 'underground'-type acts? IT'S FUCKING PATHETIC. The industry is DYING.

"All the people who argue about not feeding the record labels, the corporate machine, etc., about how artists should just release their albums THEMSELVES and THE FANS, THE REAL UNDERGROUND FANS will back them to support the artists? There is your fucking answer.

"I don't listen to [Marilyn Manson], but dude has cred for making his own artistic choices. He hasn't released a record in 3 years and his fans, his HUGE-ASS FAN BASE, could only chart 38,000 records? That's fucked up. MARILYN MANSON is a MUCH LARGER BAND than LAMB OF GOD, and we outsold him by over 10,000 first week. Not because we have gotten bigger, but because we had a label, a promotional machine behind us. So so much for the 'release it yourself and we will support the artist and not the greedy corporate label pigs' theory. Amazing.

"Marilyn Manson is rich as fuck and this won't put him in the poorhouse by any means, but if a huge-ass rock star like him can only sell 38,000 records first week, RELEASING IT HIMSELF, then how are the bands putting out their FIRST record when nobody knows who they are supposed to survive?

"Don't cry for me, Argentina — I can tour 'till the cows come home and pay my bills. But I feel sorry for the young bands.

"Good luck, guys and gals — yer gonna need it.

"'Support the artists, not the labels…' GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE."

Century Media Records has announced the signing of Sweden's MIASMAL. The Gothenburg-based band caught the label's attention with its uncompromising way of playing real, straightforward, stripped-to-the-core and no-bullshit death metal. Their DIY attitude and previous releases (a demo, a seven-inch EP and one studio album) have gained them a constantly growing fan base.

Commented Philipp Schulte, A&R representative at Century Media Records: "We are very happy about the signing of MIASMAL. The current death metal underground scene is offering many excellent new and promising bands, but only a few have that certain edge that makes you feel there is much more to come. It's the combination of their music, style and attitude that makes MIASMAL simply outstanding. When I listened to tracks like 'Kallocain', 'Toxic Breed' or the epic 'Chronicles' for the first time I felt this band has a spirit most other bands are lacking."

Added Pontus Redig, guitarist and vocalist in MIASMAL: "We are happy to announce that we just signed a deal with Century Media! As fans of many of the label's releases and bands, we feel that we are in good company. The new cooperation offers lots of opportunities for the making of our next record which is something we are very excited about. We've just begun the writing process and plan to head to the studio during the winter to immortalize our second album and Century Media debut."

MIASMAL's self-titled full-length debut was released last year on CD by Dark Descent Records and given the vinyl treatment through Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo.

Commented KORPIKLAANI vocalist/guitarist Jonne Järvelä: "'Manala' is the realm of the dead — the underworld in Finnish mythology. Tuonela, Tuoni, Manala and Mana are used synonymously. This place is best known for its appearance in the Finnish national epic Kalevala, on which many of our new songs are based. In the 16th poem of Kalevala, Väinämöinen, a shamanistic hero travels to Manala to seek for knowledge about the dead. On the journey he meets the ferrywoman (similar to Charon), a girl, Tuonen tytti, or Tuonen piika (Death's maid), who takes him across the river of Tuoni. However, on the isle of Tuoni he is not given the spells he was originally looking for and he barely manages to escape the place. After his return he curses anyone trying to enter the place alive."

For those of you who are now afraid of not being able to understand the mystical Finnish lyrics on the album, don't worry: "Manala" will come to you with a bonus CDcontaining the whole album with English lyrics!

"Metsälle", a new song from KORPIKLAANI, is available for streaming in the YouTube clip below. The track can also be downloaded for free at NuclearBlast.de (e-mail sign-up required).

"Metsälle" was originally recorded late last year when the band was competing to represent Finland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. The track will appear on KORPIKLAANI's forthcoming eighth album.

Commented KORPIKLAANI's Jonne Järvelä: "'Metsälle' can be seen as kind of a prayer to the ancient gods to ask for luck for the tough hunt deep in the woods in cold winter time. Not only is the old man in the song praying for success but — even more importantly — for a safe way through the dangerous frostiness."

KORPIKLAANI previously stated that "Metsälle" "is about the hunt on Hiisi's magical moose in the Northland. He (Lemminkäinen) puts on his charmed ski's and takes off for a prolonged hunt through forests and meadows, marshlands and woodlands, rapids and rivers. This song describes part of the Kalevala story, the national epic of Finland."

"Manala" will mark the recording debut of the band's new fiddler, Tuomas Rounakari.

KORPIKLAANI's latest CD, "Ukon Wacka", was released in North America on February 25, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Finnish metallers COREDUST will release their full-length debut, "Decent "Death", on June 29 via Inverse Records. The album was recorded last fall at Scandal Recording Studios, with Kari Huikuri handling all the recording, engineering and mixing duties. The drums on the CD, which was mastered at Chartmakers by Henkka Niemistö, were laid down by CHILDREN OF BODOM's Jaska Raatikainen.

COREDUST in February announced the addition of drummer Petri Heinonen to the group's ranks.

Video footage of Raatikainen recording the drums for "Decent Death" can be seen below.

"Decent Death" is the follow-up to COREDUST's "Past Lives" EP, which was released in the beginning of 2008.

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Norwegian metallers KRÅKE.

Original founders and brothers, Dreugh and Beist, conceived KRÅKE in 2007. From the brothers hailing from Kopervik on the west coast of Norway, the idea was to create the best possible symphonic and atmospheric black metal they could possibly achieve. It took five years to turn their vision into reality, but the result is nothing short of impressive.

KRÅKE is Norwegian for "crow," an animal known as a mythical creature throughout history and cultures especially as a herald of woe, a sign of death, but also wisdom. Inspired by this, the band strives to compose music that covers a wide variety of emotions, from anger and pride to anguish and despair. Inspiration is also sought from any source better enabling them to produce the music they want to create, be it classical and soundtrack music, literature and nature imagery. The lyrical themes are based around the darker aspects of life and the certainty of death. As for the actual music, you will find links to bands like DIMMU BORGIR, OLD MAN'S CHILD, BAL-SAGOTH and even bands like TYPE O NEGATIVE.

Having signed with Relapse Records last year, Atlanta-based thundergrinders PRIMATE will formally unleash their debut LP via the label in the scorching summer months ahead.

PRIMATE features the distinctive vocal stylings of Kevin Sharp (BRUTAL TRUTH), ripping fret-board antics by Bill Kelliher (MASTODON) and Mike Brennan, SST-style bass work and backing vocals by Dave Whitworth, and is rounded out by d-beat defender Shayne Huff.

After seeing a limited release by the band directly via a 1,000-run CD pressing in March 2011, PRIMATE's crushing "Draw Back A Stump" will receive an official worldwide Relapse release on July 3 on CD, LP and deluxe digital download. The seven hymns from the initial version now include additional rhythm guitars and have been remixed and remastered, and are joined with three additional previously-unreleased bonus tracks on this edition.

An all-star band comprised of extreme music scene vets hellbent on delivering Grade-A punk the likes of which has not been set loose on the ears of the world since the glory days hardcore, PRIMATE channel decades of international extreme music influences into a glorious record of hellish rage all their own. Upon its initial release Decibel magazine praised "Draw Back A Stump", calling it "grind with elements of classic U.K. crust, Swedish D-beat and American hardcore, plus just enough experimentation to create the aural equivalent of a watch throwing springs and gears in every direction while keeping perfect time," with Metal-Army America adding "'Draw Back A Stump' has all the bells and whistles of old-school hardcore and the best of modern sludgey-grind" and Grind To Death boasted the record is "like no other grind I have heard...borrowing from the crisp clean metal stylings and structures merged with the rhythmical pogo stick bouncings of punk to make its own blend of music."

Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gary Schutt, best known for his work with Jeff Scott Soto, has a new album coming out on Palisade Records.

Much like Gary's 2006 releases "B-Sides Myself" and "Dramatically Acoustic", this compilation is a timefiller for his fans until his next full release.

Gary has been busy working with other bands on his Palisade record label (ALWAYS AT WAR, THE METAL HEDZ, E19 and CENTRAL NERVE) and touring with his cover band CATEGORY THREE.

Gary will release his new album, "Puppets In Symmetry", on July 3 worldwide. The CD consists of 13 tracks which are radio-edited versions of songs from his "Excruciating Pleasure" (2003) and "Contingency Plan" (2010) CDs, plus a couple other surprises including a songs that any diehard Soto fan will recognize.

Rocker and philanthropist Bret Michaels thanks the hospital who saved his life on a new medical web site, Barrow50.org.

Michaels suffered from a life-threatening brain hemorrhage in 2010 and was rushed to Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix for treatment. The hemorrhage left the musician in critical condition and he remained hospitalized at Barrow for the duration of his treatment.

Michaels will kick off a special tour with his band POISON and DEF LEPPARD in June, release a solo album called "Get Your Rock On" this summer and launch a line with PetSmart called the Bret Michaels Pets Rock Collection on June 18.

"I want to thank all of my good friends at Barrow who saved my life," says Bret. "Without them I wouldn't be standing here today."

St. Joseph's Barrow Neurological Institute, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012. Patients like Michaels travel from all over the United States and the world for the special neurological expertise available at Barrow. The hospital has treated a long list of public figures including Michaels, baseball great and broadcaster Joe Garagiola, a Saudi Arabian queen and a host of professional athletes. The new interactive web site is part of Barrow's commemorative activities this year.

Finnish rock cello quartet APOCALYPTICA will play a special "mini acoustic set" at Scrape Records in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, followed by a meet-and-greet, on Monday, May 21 at 4 p.m.

APOCALYPTICA's latest album, "7th Symphony", sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 31 on The Billboard 200 chart. The majority of the album was produced by Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, BAD RELIGION), with two other songs produced by Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH).

Just like on their previous album, "Worlds Collide", APOCALYPTICA employed guest vocalists for several tracks on the record. APOCALYPTICA member Eicca Toppinen told The Pulse of Radio that it's always a challenge to fit the band's music around each individual singer's style. "You know, there's certain challenges, but we also, we always want to see how the vocals fit in that, "he said. "(But) after that, we work on the arrangements and see what else with the cellos we can create around the vocals. But I think with everybody — we've been so lucky to work with some great people, so it's always pretty easy."

APOCALYPTICA traveled to Los Angeles to shoot a music video for "End Of Me", the first single from "7th Symphony". The song featured BUSH singer Gavin Rossdale on vocals, with Rossdale also making an appearance in the video.

Dan Lorenzo, new editor of Steppin' Out magazine and guitarist for HADES/NON-FICTION, has released the following statement:

"About two months ago, I informed HADES vocalist Alan Tecchio as well as [fellow HADES members] Tom Coombs, Ed Fuhrman, Scott LePage and Kevin Bolembach that I would not be able to honor my commitment to performing [with HADES on] July 28th at the Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany. The main reason? Time. Sure, I could find the time to fly over for a few days; that's not really the problem. The main problem is the time it would take to me to 'get up to speed' to do the songs justice.

"I've always been the worst musician in HADES. Thrash is not my forté. If it were a NON-FICTION show, it would be much easier. They [the organizers of the Headbangers Open Air festival] want us to play songs from the first two [HADES] CDs. Those songs are tough to play. If my heart were into it, I'd have to work at least an hour or two a day for months to play the songs adequately.

"I know it's not cool to break a commitment, but I felt like giving four months notice was sufficient.

"After I backed out, Ed and Tom did as well. Alan did not want to let down our fans and wanted to find some way of making good. He is still performing as 'A Night Of Hades Music With Alan Tecchio'. I was hoping Scott would be able to do it, but time/distance from New Jersey make it impossible for him as well.

"I sincerely apologize to our fans, but I have to do what is in my heart. I'd prefer to spend my summer playing basketball and traveling with my wife during the one week our office is closed. Playing 25-year-old songs just isn't where my head and heart is this year. I'm beyond happy just being 'Dan from Steppin' Out magazine.'

"I had a ridiculously great time performing with HADES two years ago at the Bang Your Head!!! festival [in Germany; see video below].

"I want to thank our fans and I hope they understand."

Sometimes you find a band that is lightyears ahead of what everyone else is doing. YAKUZA has been that band since their inception. They have crafted some of the most unique and compelling pieces of music that has ever entered into the metal realm. Most recently, their 2010 effort for Profound Lore, "Of Seismic Consequence", was named in virtually every "best-of" end-of-year list and was widely heralded as the band's best to date.

Now, YAKUZA is returning to the studio once again, to craft a brand new masterpiece that will be unveiled later this year. On May 6, the band entered Engine Studios in Chicago to craft their sixth studio effort. The mighty Sanford Parker (NACHTMYSTIUM, YOB, RWAKE) is once again at the helm, as he has been for the last few YAKUZA releases.

Commented YAKUZA mainman Bruce Lamont, "There is one common thread in YAKUZA records — we thrive on VARIETY. We try to go to places we've never gone before and create open space — being experimental, so to speak, but we still have a love for a good melody. Sanford is a big help bringing the sounds together. Lyrical themes focus on life and death, the light and the dark. Our last record was a reaction, somewhat of a warning call for what has been happening globally and spiritually, but not in a religious sense. This album is the aftermath, the balance between the light and the dark. And as dark as it gets, there is always light at the end of the tunnel."

YAKUZA is also preparing a brand new visual offering. Director Justin Baron has filmed a documentary on the band's history and unique sound. "Be That As It May: Yakuza's Seismic Consequence" will be released later this year and features appearances by members of MASTODON, NACHTMYSTIUM, TRIPTYKON/CELTIC FROST's Tom G. Warrior and many more. Director Justin Baron is in need of funds to finish the project and has launched a Kickstarter campaign in support of the film.

YAKUZA is Bruce Lamont, Matt McClelland, Jim Staffel and Ivan Cruz.

This is where it all began. For the first time ever, Chuck Schuldiner's pre-DEATH band MANTAS's recordings have been officially collected into one fully authorized compilation. "Death By Metal" is the brutally raw sound of an entire genre being born out of the basement of Chuck Schuldiner's Florida home close to three decades ago. These are the earliest recordings of death metal legend, pioneer and groundbreaker Chuck Schuldiner absolutely ripping the face off of hordes of devotees worldwide. This is the first time that these recordings have been legitimately available since their original release as the "Death By Metal" demo tape (1984). This is the beginning of DEATH!

Due on June 19 via Relapse Records, "Death By Metal" will feature the following track listing:

01. Legion Of Doom ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 1) 02. Evil Dead ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 1) 03. Mantas ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 1) 04. Death By Metal ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 1) 05. Power Of Darkness ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 1) 06. Legion Of Doom ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 2) 07. Power Of Darkness ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 2) 08. Death By Metal ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 2) 09. Evil Dead ("Death By Metal" Demo Version 2) 10. Legion Of Doom (Rehearsal Early 1984) 11. Mantas (Rehearsal Early 1984) 12. Death By Metal (Rehearsal Early 1984) 13. Evil Dead (Rehearsal Early 1984) 14. Rise Of Satan (Rehearsal Early 1984)

After completing a successful U.S. tour with new drummer Marc Jackson (who replaced Antony "Antton" Lantearlier this year), MPIRE OF EVIL (formerly PRIMEVIL) — the band formed in 2010 by ex-VENOM members Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (guitar) and Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan (bass, vocals) — has announced that Marc will join the group on a permanent basis.

MPIRE OF EVIL recently completed a North American tour with fellow British thrashers ONSLAUGHT.

MPIRE OF EVIL released its full-length debut, "Hell To The Holy", on March 26 via Scarlet Records. The CD boasts 10 brand-new tracks displaying the band's infectious and groovy heavy metal assault, conveying Mantas' thunderous riffs, a huge rhythm section and Dolan's abrasive vocals into a monstrous musical holocaust which will appeal to both old-school and modern metal fans.

Produced by Mantas himself and featuring stunning cover artwork by Gyula Havancsák (ANNIHILATOR, DESTRUCTION, GRAVE DIGGER), "Hell To The Holy" is without any doubts a "must have" album for 2012.

MPIRE OF EVIL released its debut mini-album, "Creatures Of The Black", on October 21, 2011 via Scarlet Records. The CD featured cover versions of four songs that influenced the members of M-PIRE OF EVIL ("Exciter" by JUDAS PRIEST, "God Of Thunder" by KISS, "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be" by AC/DC and "Motörhead" by MOTÖRHEAD), plus two new songs, "Hellspawn" and "Reptile".

In a 2010 interview with Metality, Dolan stated about the formation of M-PIRE OF EVIL,"Well, I think it came about as Mantas and Antton who were both doing separate music projects (DRYLL and DEF-CON-ONE) came together in DRYLL. Mantas needed a drummer and Antton offered his services. People kept wondering what it would be like if Mantas and Antton played with me and it was kind of, 'Oh, yeah that would be fun perhaps,' but then DRYLL played a show and performed the VENOM track 'Black Metal' [with Antton] and that was kind of it. People started saying I had to come in and play, too. So I got a phone call and had a few chats with Mantas and that was that; we decided we'd see if it worked. It does, very well, but then again myself and Mantas have always been friends and played well together. The addition of a drummer as good as Antton was something too cool to pass up! [M-PIRE OF EVIL] is old school, I guess, melodic, heavy, powerful. [As to how MPIRE OF EVIL is] different from VENOM, [I'm] not sure. We will inevitably be compared, as we are all ex-VENOM [members] and, of course, Mantas was the main songwriter for VENOM, so... But I feel we are more like classic metal. MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH.... PRIEST and VENOM."

Italian black/doom metal outfit FORGOTTEN TOMB will release their seventh album, "...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil", in the fall via Agonia Records. The CD will consist of seven brand new songs whcih are currently being recorded at Elfo Studio (Piacenza, Italy). Finland's Finnvox Studios (IMPALED NAZARENE, AMORPHIS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, HIM) will take care of mastering.

Having attained cult status in their own country, FORGOTTEN TOMB will release an official DVD in 2013. The disc will include two professionally filmed concerts along with bonus and backstage material, bootleg recordings, exclusive interviews and other extras. The first show will feature full performance at Kings Of Black Metal festival 2012 (Alsfeld, Germany). The second movie will be shot during the upcoming live dates, including several European festivals (Rockcult, Hellfest, Extremefest, Under The Black Sun, Barther Open Air).

Last but not least, there's a special album with FORGOTTEN TOMB remixes in the works.